Circuit breaker



Jan. 11, 1938.

'2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 24, 1933 H FJAO 54 4 2 4 m 4 a R Q/ 9 J z 6 H .07 r n J n K M/ my l ROBERT TEMPLE JR.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Jan. 11, 1938. TEMPLE, JR 2,104,914. 4

CIRCUIT BREAKER Original Filed April 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o 1 I r 5% O Y III 0 I" 73 l 79 I w, |l"

ROBERT TEMPLEJR.

INV NTOR.

ATTORNEY.

2 so great as to fuse the contact points together. manently s ured, the piston closely 'fltti c en Patented Jan. 11, 1938 i I i i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE onwurr BREAKER nobei-t Temple, .In, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Original application April 24, 1933, Serial No.

667,686, now Patent No. 2,017,329, dated October 15, 1935. Divided and this application tober 14, 1935, Serial No. 44,903

12 Claims. (Cl. 200-150) This invention relates to circuit breakers and being provided with flanges I9 to insure a more constitutes a division of my cop'ending applicafirm engagement with the member 20. The tion on explosively actuated devices, Ser. No. 667,- plunger 24 is slidably mounted within a barrel 26 v 686, filed April 24, 1933 now Patent No. 2,017,329, having a longitudinal aperture 21, the barrel beissued October 15, 1935. ing positioned in spaced relation to the base by 5 The invention is more particularly directed to means of a supporting member 23, said supportan oil circuit breaker, employing an explosive ing member having an upper clamping portion charge to actuate the same. The present circuit 23'. When the circuit breaker is ina closed posibreaker is adapted both for high and low current tion, as illustrated in the inner end of the circuits and is so constructed that the circuit may. plunger 24 abuts against a shoulder- 29 in the 1 be opened either when an overload occurs, or at barrel. any other desired time, without producing an arc. dlae t e Shoulder the aperture in A large number of oil and other circuit opening is formed with ledlieed por 3| devices have been produced, but these for the W t n w h e'fO d d 01 aseeend plunger most part are rather complicated and exceedingly 32 is p s o d when. t circuit breaker is in a expensive devices. The present invention may or lo ed p si i n An on P (Ir-inlet 33 is formed may not be immersed within an oil bath and the i t e barrel at a point adjacent to t e forward device is constructed in such a manner as to open nd 1' the plun er 32 wh n h il k r the circuit in a way that no appreciable or con-- is in a Cl DOSiti0n- The l inlet leads to an tinued arc can occur between the contact points. oil reservoir 34 and so long as the plun e 3 is Anotheroblect of the invention is the provision in the position W in F18 -1, .the chambers 20 of an explosively actuated circuit breaker, the wi hin th plunger 4 an he .mo n c operation of which is so positive that the circuit members e completely filled with .joi At t e will be broken even though the overload has been reel end the plunger a hollow pistonis In the drawings, Fig, 1 i a, br k t plan I enlarged portion 33 of the aperture in the barrel. view of the preferred embodiment of the inven- In o e to insure a close fit between the Piston tion, the view being largely in section; and the barrel, said piston is provided with a Fig. 2 is a broken side elevation thereof; plurality of Spaced piston rings 38. W t .Fig. 3 is a broken top plan view, largely in secdetonation takes place, as hereinafter described, 30 tion, of a modified form of the invention; and t e p ston and the p u er 32 o e fo ward. a Fig. 4 is abroken side elevation t r f, in order to return the piston thereafter to its The preferred embodiment of the invention 11- I normal P s i a 0011 Compression Spring 9 is lustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is mounted on a, base positioned between the forward end of the piston Ill and includes a pair of stationary contact memend a Shoulder Inesmueh as the area, Within bers II and I2, which are mounted in spaced the aperture 30 is lo e theforw d v n relation to the base by means of supporting mem- Pist 35 OOmDIeSSeS the a therein which forms bers I3 and I 4. Each stationary contact mema cushion to prevent the piston from striking the ber is formed with a longitudinal aperture l5 shoulder 40 too severely. In order to reduce the 40 extending inwardly from its outer end, the outer compression, however, air outlet ports 4| are 40 end of said apertures being outwardly flared, as formed in the portion of the barrel adjacent to indicated at l6. -In order to make a more firm the shoulder 40. contact between the stationary and the moveable The rear end of the barrel is provided with an r contact members, the apertures are provided with enlarged breech portion 42 and is supported in a plurality of annular recesses l1 in which comspaced relation to the base by means of a bracket pression rings l8 are fitted. 43 having a clamping portion 44. The rearend The moveable contact -member 20 is substanof the apertue 36 in the barrel is threaded, as at tially U-shaped and is formed with a longitudinal 45', to receive a breeching element 48 having a aperture 2| extending from end to end. The longitudinal aperture 4'! to receive a blank carterminals of the moveable contact member are tridge' 43. 5o

tapered, as shown at 22, in order to facilitate When an overload in the circuit occurs, the their admission into the aperture. The moveable. cartridge is detonated in the following mannercontact member is carried by a hollow plunger A breech block 49 having a reduced threaded for- 24, having a longitudinal aperture 25 which comward portion 50; is fitted within a threaded aperinunicates with the aperture 2|, the plunger also ture at the rear end of the breeching element.

A firing pin 52 is mounted within a longitudinal aperture 53 in the breech block. Thus, when it is desired to actuate the circuit breaker, the firing pin is caused to strike the cartridge by a suitable mechanical or electrical means. This causes the explosive gases to act upon the piston, thereby driving the plunger 32 forward, the initial movement thereof closing the oil port. Further movement of the piston 32 places the oil under an exceedingly high pressure which reacts against the inner ends 55 and 56 of the apertures i5 in the stationary contact members, thereby causing the moveable contact member to travel inthe direction of movement of the plunger 32. Movement, of course, proceeds after the oil begins to escape and as this movement continues at an exceedingly high velocity, and the oil, which is under a continuously increasing pressure, is forcibly moved outwardly in the annular area between the stationary and moveable contact members. The oil is under a sufliciently high pressure and velocity to prevent the formation of a vacuum and any appreciable or continued arc as well.

In order to limit the outward movement of the moveable contact member, the plunger 25 is provided at its forward end with an integrally formed solid rod 58, having a reduced portion 59 at its forward end. The rod passes through a closed cylinder 60, the cylinder having two or more opposed ports 6! adjacent to its forward end, the cylinder being suitably supported on a port 62. The reduced portion of the rod carries a piston 63 which compresses the air within the cylinder after said piston has passed the ports 6 I, thereby forming an air cushion at the forward end of the cylinder. In some instances, it may be desirable to place a resilient gasket 64 at the forward end.

When the circuit breaker is actuated, the move able contact member has moved forward to the position shown in the broken lines in Fig. 1. It may then be returned to manipulation of the lever 65, mounted on the base at 66.

The modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is similar to the preferred embodiment of the invention except that it is provided with only a single moveable contact member which is pivotaliy rather than a double one, as in the preferred embodiment. In this instance, the barrel 18 is mounted in spaced relation to the base H by means of a supporting element I2 which is secured to the base and is provided with a clamping portion I2. The barrel is formed with a longitudinal aperture I3 having an outwardly flared portion I4 at its forward end. Substantially midway between the ends of the barrel an oil inlet port 15 is positioned, this inlet leading to the oil reservoir I6. Adjacent to the oil port, the barrel is formed with an enlarged portion 18 and the aperture 19 in this portion is correspondingly enlarged.

The plunger is similar to that shown in the preferred embodiment and likewise carries a hoilow piston 82 at its rear end, the piston having a plurality of piston rings 83. This portion of the barrel is also supported in spaced relation to the base on a supporting element 84 having an upper clamp 85. The breeching element 81 is screw threaded into an enlarged portion 88 in the rear end of the barrel, this breaching-element having a longitudinal aperture 88 in which the cartridge 9|) is positioned. The breech block SI and firing pin 92 are similar to that shown in the preferred embodiment.

The rear end of the moveable contact member its closed position by I 94 is provided with a plurality of spaced contact rings 95 and normally resides at a point substantially half-way within the aperture 13 in the barrel, this plunger being supported for longitudinal movement in a supporting member 96 having an aperture 91 therein. The moveable contact member is further provided with a second set of contact rings 98, which are adjacent to the aperture 91 when the circuit breaker is in a closed position. The closed cylinder I00, the reduced portion ml of the moveable contact member, the piston I02, and the buffer I03, are similar to that shown in the preferred embodiment.

I Likewise, the circuit breaker is adapted to be reset by actuating the lever IM which is pivotally mounted to the base at I05. The screw I05 may serve as the terminal for the fixed contact and the screw. I01 for the moveable one.

Although not shown in the drawings, each of the embodiments of the present invention may, if desired, be immersed in oil. This is not essential for the successful operation of the device, however, since the oil is forced outwardly between'the fixed and moveable contact members at such a velocity and pressure as to quench any arc that may beformed.

What I claim is:

1. A circuit breaker comprising stationary and moveable contact members, the latter having a fluid filled chamber, a piston free for movement independent of the movable contact member adapted to compress the fluid and thereby actuate the moveable contact member and explosively actuated means for moving the piston.

2. In a circuit breaker, the combination of a fixed contact member and a moveable contact member having a fiuid filled chamber therein, communicating with the fixed contact member, a plunger free for movement independent, ofthe movable contact member adapted to compress the fluid and thereby actuate the moveable contact member and explosively actuated means for moving the plunger.

3. In an explosively actuated circuit breaker, a pair of apertured stationary contact members, a U shaped hollow moveable contact member, the ends of which pass into the stationary contact members, a hollow plunger carrying said U shaped contact member, a fluid carried within said hollow member, an explosively actuated piston associated within said hollow plunger, whereby, when the piston is actuated, the moveable contact member will pass from the stationary contact members and the fluid will be expelled under pressure.

4. A circuit breaker comprising a hollow cylindrical contact member, a funnel-shaped guide integral with one end of the cylindrical contact member, a second contact member normally positioned in'the first-named member and in electrical contact therewith, means defining a chamber in communication with the hollow cylindrical portion of the first contact member, electrical insulating liquid in the chamber, a piston movable into engagement with the fluid in the chamber, explosive means for moving the piston, pneumatic and metal spring means for damping the movement of the piston, and pneumatic means for damping the movement of the contact members apart as a result of the movement of the piston, said insulating fluid being forced rapidly between the contact members by the piston as the members are moved apart.

5. A circuit breaker comprising a hollow cylindrical contact member, a second contact member and explosive means formoving the contacts,

normally positioned in the first-named member and in electrical contact therewith, means defining a chamber in communication with the hollow cylindrical portion of the first contact member,

' ton, and means for damping the movement of the contact members apart as a result of the move ment of the piston, said insulating fluid being forced rapidly between the contact members by the piston as the members are moved apart.

6. A circuit breaker comprising a hollow cylindrical contact member, a second contact member normally positioned in the first-named member and in electrical contact therewith, means defining a chamber in communication with the hollow cylindrical portion of the first contact member, electrical insulating liquid in the chamber, a piston movable into engagement with the fluid in the chamber, and explosive means for moving the piston, said insulating fluid being forced rapidly betweenthe contact members by the piston as the members are moved apart.

7. A circuit breaker comprising a hollow cylindrical contact member, a second contact member normally positioned in the first-named member and in electrical contact therewith, means defining a chamber in communication with the hollow cylindrical portion of the first contact member, electrical insulating liquid in the chamber,

a piston movable into engagement with the fluidin the chamber, explosive means for moving the piston, means for damping the movement of the piston, and means for damping the movement of the contact members apart as a result of the movement of the piston.

8. A circuit breaker comprising in combination, a pair of engaging electrical contacts, means mounting the contacts for relative movement,

apart and simultaneously forcing insulating liquid in considerable quantities and at explosive pressures between the contacts; I

9. A circuit breaker comprising in combination, a pair of engaging electrical contacts, means mounting the contacts for relativemovement, means for moving the contacts apart and simultaneously forcing insulating liquid in considerable quantities and at relatively high pressures between the contacts, means for damping movement of the contact-moving means, and means for damping relative movement of the contacts.

10. In combination, a cup-shaped member, a hollow rod slidably received in fluid-tight relation in the member, fluid carried in the hollow rod, a piston movable into compressing relation with the fluid to thereby forcibly eject the rod from the cup, and explosive means for movingthe piston.

11. In combination, a pair of spaced contacts, means bridging and electrically connecting the contacts, and fluid-pressure means adapted on electrical overload to apply fluid-pressure forces through an insulating liquid directly between each contact and the portion of the bridging means engaging therewith to positively move the bridging means away from each contact while rapidly discharging the liquid between each contact and its associated portion of the bridging means.

12. In combination, a pair of spaced contacts,

means bridging and electrically connecting the contacts, and fluid-pressure means adapted on electrical overload to apply fluid-pressure forces through an insulating liquid directly between each contact and the portion of the bridging means engaging therewith to positively move the bridging means away from each contact.

ROBERT TEMPLE, JR. 

